Episode 388: You Want This

He desperately wanted her to have more than that. Still he couldn’t find it in him to tell her to leave and pursue more.

"Yes, Daddy," Adria spoke into the phone and at the same time launched herself at Ryley. She held onto him as she continued to lie to her father, tightening the knots in Ryley’s stomach. Yet he held onto her too. "Yes, Daddy. Yes, school is fine. Oh, I’m working very hard. In fact, I really should get back to the books. Say hello to Mom for me, maybe I’ll get the chance to visit soon, bye."

Ringing off, Adria giggled into his shoulder. "Little does he know I’m only ten minutes away, I could visit anytime. But," she interrupted herself to plant a slow sweet kiss on him. "I’m too busy with you to make room for anything else."

"I don’t like this," Ryley blurted, though he still didn’t let go, didn’t push her away. Words were hard enough. He didn’t know how to tell her to get a life without it sounding as if he didn’t want her, didn’t love her. "I have a problem with what you’re doing."

Adria smiled, shaking her head. "Sometimes I wonder how we were every almost just a one night stand when you get these attacks of old fashioned. You’re quite a sweetheart, you know that?" She pressed another kiss on him. "If my lying to Daddy bothers you, it’s okay, I won’t do it anymore."

Relief washed through Ryley. He didn’t have the willpower to send her away, but her father would. Maybe this return to school would reignite her interest in something other than him. It wasn’t healthy for her to want only him. He couldn’t let her shortchange herself like that.

"Don’t worry; we could fix things with Daddy if you want. I don’t have to lie, there’s one way I’m sure he wouldn’t mind me leaving school. You’re in finance, you’re totally suitable - worthy in his eyes." Giddiness bubbled in her throat. "Daddy would be fine if I left school to marry you."

Episode 389: Thing Called Love